Health News 11/2009

After all the fuss, public health plan covers few (AP via Yahoo! Singapore News)

What's all the fuss about? After all the noise over Democrats' push for a government insurance plan to compete with private carriers, coverage numbers are finally in: Two percent. That's the estimated share of Americans younger than 65 who'd sign up for the public option plan under the health care bill that Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is steering toward House approval. The underwhelming ...(Nov 1, 2009)

Health-care reform likely to be shaped in statehouses (Washington Post)

The debate over whether to let states opt out of any government-run health insurance plan overlooks a key facet of the health-care measures being assembled in Congress: When Washington is done, the shape of any new health-care system is likely to be finalized in Lansing and Boise and Baton Rouge.(Nov 1, 2009)

Boehner: GOP has right answers on health care (AP via Yahoo! News)

Republicans have the answers to lower health costs and expanded coverage, not the Democrats who hold power in Washington and are creating more problems as they "recklessly pursue" a government takeover of the health care system, a GOP leader said.(Nov 1, 2009)

(10-31) 19:33 PDT WASHINGTON, (AP) -- Republicans have the answers to lower health costs and expanded coverage, not the Democrats who hold power in Washington and are creating more problems as they "recklessly pursue" a government takeover of the...(Nov 1, 2009)

For those denied insurance because of preexisting conditions, health reform would bring major change (San Jose Mercury News)

The major proposals pending in Congress would bar insurers from denying coverage in the individual market based on health status. In return, they could realize millions of new customers, thanks to a proposed requirement that all Americans carry insurance.(Nov 1, 2009)

Health-care reform likely to be shaped in statehouses (Washington Post)

The debate over whether to let states opt out of any government-run health insurance plan overlooks a key facet of the health-care measures being assembled in Congress: When Washington is done, the shape of any new health-care system is likely to be finalized in Lansing and Boise and Baton Rouge.(Nov 1, 2009)

Lack of insurance a health hazardous (Boston Herald)

Being uninsured can be disastrous for your health, particularly for those with a chronic illness such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, according to a Harvard study...(Nov 1, 2009)

Research published in the November 2009 issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology has found that intervals between lung cancer suspicion, diagnosis and treatment may be attributed to health care system discrepancies.(Nov 1, 2009)

Those tax-free spending accounts that you and your co-workers use to help pay for dental work, insurance copayments or over-the-counter drugs face a hit under the health overhaul bills in Congress — unless a coalition that includes a powerful union, insurers and others can stop it.(Nov 1, 2009)

Bewildering bureaucracy has to go, says health boss (The New Zealand Herald)

When Lester Levy took over public health services for 530,000 Aucklanders in June, he immediately visited the hot spot of North Shore Hospital's troubles.Ongoing publicity about the misery of long waits in the emergency care centre...(Nov 1, 2009)

Bewildering bureaucracy has to go, says health boss (The New Zealand Herald)

When Lester Levy took over public health services for 530,000 Aucklanders in June, he immediately visited the hot spot of North Shore Hospital's troubles.(Nov 1, 2009)

Lieberman: Would join health filibuster (UPI)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Sen. Joseph Lieberman, Ind-Conn., said Sunday that he would join a Republican filibuster to stop the creation of a government-run health plan option.(Nov 2, 2009)

Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives plan to offer an alternative to Democrats' massive healthcare reform bill that would not raise taxes or require people or businesses to buy health insurance, the House Republican leader said on Sunday.(Nov 2, 2009)

A leading Republican Congressman said Sunday that his party would present by the end of the week its own plan for health care reform, one of President Barack Obama's top domestic priorities.(Nov 2, 2009)

El Rey Market, the popular south side grocery and Mexican restaurant, recently received 10 critical health violations, making it Milwaukee’s most-cited spot in the past month. Other restaurants, grocery stores and bars had problems, too.(Nov 2, 2009)

Health minister will look into H1N1 doses given to private clinic (The Canadian Press via Yahoo! Canada News)

TORONTO - Ontario's Health Minister Deb Matthews says the province will look into Toronto Public Health's decision to give doses of the H1N1 vaccine to a private clinic in Toronto.(Nov 2, 2009)

Those tax-free spending accounts that you and your co-workers use to help pay for dental work, insurance copayments or over-the-counter drugs face a hit under the health overhaul bills in Congress — unless a coalition that includes a powerful union, insurers and others can stop it.(Nov 2, 2009)

Preemie births 'horrible health problem' (The Cincinnati Enquirer)

About 17 percent of babies in Cincinnati are born prematurely, compared to a healthy pregnancy of about 40 weeks. "Premature birth is a horrible public health problem," said Jim Greenberg, of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.(Nov 2, 2009)

Health chief sounds tomato warning (The Age)

Victorian health authorities have renewed their warnings over links between semi-dried tomatoes and an outbreak of hepatitis A following a further 23 cases of the infectious disease diagnosed in the past week.(Nov 2, 2009)

Those tax-free spending accounts that you and your co-workers use to help pay for dental work, insurance copayments or over-the-counter drugs face a hit under the health overhaul bills in Congress — unless a coalition that includes a powerful union, insurers and others can stop it.(Nov 2, 2009)

A look at key issues in the health care debate: THE ISSUE: Why are there so many different health care proposals being discussed on Capitol Hill, and what exactly does Obama support?(Nov 2, 2009)

Health Care Issues: Why So Many Health Care Bills? (ABC News)

Health care issues: Of the 5 health care bills, which 1 has the blessing of Obama?(Nov 2, 2009)

Health Highlights: Nov. 2, 2009 (HealthDay via Yahoo! News)

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:(Nov 2, 2009)

Holtz-Eakin Faces End Of His Health Coverage (NPR)

Doug Holtz-Eakin, once head of the Congressional Budget Office, is still unemployed a year after his gig as Sen. John McCain's top health guru dried up. Holtz-Eakin's COBRA coverage is about to expire, and a preexisting condition makes him hard to insure.(Nov 2, 2009)

Earnings Preview: Medco Health Solutions (AP via Yahoo! News)

Medco Health Solutions Inc., the largest U.S. pharmacy benefits manager, is scheduled to report its third-quarter results Tuesday morning. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst commentary for the period.(Nov 2, 2009)

Public Option Role In Health Care May Be Minor (NPR)

Despite all the controversy, a new CBO estimate indicates that relatively few people would be helped by a public health insurance plan. Any "opt-out" provision means at least some states are likely to bar a government-backed plan within their borders.(Nov 2, 2009)

A timely sneeze made Americans more likely to back substantial government spending on health care than on job creation, a study concluded Monday.(Nov 3, 2009)

GOP Rep: Health reform scarier than terrorism (USA Today)

A Republican congresswoman says people have more to fear from Democratic health care legislation than from terrorists.(Nov 3, 2009)

Middle class would pay thousands for health care (AP via Yahoo! News)

Government experts say some middle-class families would still face a big budget hit for health care, even with the new help that Democrats want to provide.(Nov 3, 2009)

Idaho officials plug Meridian as health care hub (AP via Yahoo! News)

Economic development officials are promoting a corridor in southwestern Idaho as a health care hub, as they count on an existing hospital and a new Idaho State University facility to help attract newcomers.(Nov 3, 2009)

GOP Rep: Health reform scarier than terrorism (AP via Yahoo! News)

A Republican congresswoman said Monday that people have more to fear from Democratic health care legislation than from terrorists.(Nov 3, 2009)

New business coalition opposes House health bill (AP via Yahoo! News)

Eleven of the nation's largest business groups are beginning a multimillion-dollar TV ad campaign that says the health overhaul legislation in the House would raise taxes and worsen the economy without curbing medical expenses.(Nov 3, 2009)

GOP health bill focuses on lower costs (Politico via Yahoo! News)

The Republicans’ health care bill in the House focuses more on lowering costs than on expanding coverage, party leaders said Monday — setting up a stark divide between the GOP and Democrats who have made near universal coverage a top priority of their bills.(Nov 3, 2009)

AP sources: House health bill totals $1.2T (USA Today)

The health care bill headed for a vote in the House this week costs $1.2 trillion or more over a decade, according to numerous Democratic officials and figures contained in an analysis by congressional budget experts, far higher than the $900 billion cited by President Obama as a price tag for his reform plan.(Nov 3, 2009)

The health care bill headed for a vote in the House this week costs $1.2 trillion or more over a decade, according to numerous Democratic officials and figures contained in an analysis by congressional budget experts, far higher than the $900 billion cited by President Barack Obama as a price tag for his reform plan.(Nov 3, 2009)

These 5 health care culprits cost $1 trillion (CNN Money)

As the nation tries to deal with its annual $2.2 trillion health care pricetag, there's a way you can help save as much as $1 trillion: Take better care of yourself.(Nov 3, 2009)

Health experts seek ways to eliminate malaria (AFP via Yahoo! News)

Health experts and researchers met in the Kenyan capital Tuesday to find ways of eradicating malaria, the world's deadliest infectious disease that kills around 900,000 people every year.(Nov 3, 2009)

2 tough health care issues remain in the House (AP via Yahoo! News)

Just a few unsolved problems — and one final sales job — stand between House Democratic leaders and a landmark vote on President Barack Obama's promised remake of the nation's health care system.(Nov 3, 2009)

Health Tip: Nails Can Reveal Your Health (HealthDay via Yahoo! News)

(HealthDay News) -- It's important to pay attention to changes in your nails, as they can indicate an underlying health problem.(Nov 3, 2009)